Bronchoscopic cryotherapy.
Bronchoscopic cryotherapy of localized endobronchial tumors can be applied in selected patients who are not candidate for other traditional therapy. Twenty-eight patients were treated on 60 occasions with a closed liquid nitrogen system and a long insulated probe that was specifically designed to be used through an open ventilating bronchoscope. The conditions of 15 patients (54%) was improved, as judged by local tumor control, decreased bleeding, or improved airway patency. Fatal complications that could be ascribed to cryotherapy occurred in 2 of the 60 treatments (3%). Two patients have experienced complete control of squamous cell cancers four years and five years nine months after cryotherapy.
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D000882:Haplorhini; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*